Sunday, 3 February 2013

3. Internship. A Golden Retriever With Two Big Lumps Below the Sternum

History:

Ace is a 10 year old, male, Golden Retriever that came in
with subcutaneous tumour and ruptured abcess (10”x5”x5”) below the sternum. He
had been inappetance and had trouble walking for 10 days. During examination,
he was down with slight pyrexia (T: 40.7˚C), deep ear infection, abscess, tumour
and ulcerated foot pad of the right forelimb.

Possible treatment option:

1.The dog required surgery to remove both the abscess
and subcutaneous tumour.

2.Excise about 1cm from the margin of the tumour
to ensure complete removal.

3.Then surgically debride the affected area and
remove pus by flushing the abscess.

4.Use hydrogen peroxide followed by chlorhexidine,
diluted povidone iodine and then smear mixture of antibiotic cream and
dermapred on the wound.

5.Depending on the size, the gaping wound can be
stitch up or left open for second intention healing and that would need daily
wound cleaning.

6.If the wound is big, we need to stitch up and
reduce the dead space to avoid fluid accumulation. We also need to insert
drainage such as Penrose drain to allow daily flushing of the wound.